Walmart, the world’s biggest family business, reached its goal of hiring 150,000 new employees by the end of May in less than a month and has pledged to hire an extra 50,000 staff as part of the US retailer’s response to the coronavirus crisis.

The boards of family businesses need to step up their professionalisation to broaden succession planning, introduce the next generation and improve the gender mix, says a leading international family business consultant.

The boards of family businesses need to step up their professionalisation to broaden succession planning, introduce the next generation and improve the gender mix, says a leading international family business consultant.

The year of 2019 was one when many of the six impossible things before breakfast remain unresolved—with the shining exception of Brexit, and the wider resolution of domestic politics. We can still feel the political earthquake which struck the UK last month—we cannot yet see the effect of it. Most political earthquakes, when they happen, are scarcely discerned, and even those which are perceived for what they are, do not easily reveal the new pathways created from the changed landscape.

The year of 2019 was one when many of the six impossible things before breakfast remain unresolved—with the shining exception of Brexit, and the wider resolution of domestic politics. We can still feel the political earthquake which struck the UK last month—we cannot yet see the effect of it. Most political earthquakes, when they happen, are scarcely discerned, and even those which are perceived for what they are, do not easily reveal the new pathways created from the changed landscape.

Warren Buffett tops up cash pile to $128 billion, Solvay shakes up structure and management against headwinds, Hays family tout capital reinvestment and the personal touch in Thomas Cook takeover.

Warren Buffett tops up cash pile to $128 billion

The family office of prolific US investor Warren Buffett (pictured) has conserved $128 billion in cash in its third quarter, up from $122.4 billion in the previous quarter, backing up a recession-warning trend revealed in The Global Family Office Report 2019.

The $190 billion merger between Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and Renault signals the emergence of family principal John Elkann as a major player as the world’s car industry develops connectivity, electric powered vehicles and autonomous driving.

The $190 billion merger between Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and Renault signals the emergence of family principal John Elkann as a major player as the world’s car industry develops connectivity, electric powered vehicles and autonomous driving.

The merger also shows how a dynastic family business can make bold strategic decisions to ensure its sustainability in an era of technological disruption.

Succession transition sets up Ricola for the future, Gina Rinehart’s family feud to stay private, and billionaire Zhao family embroiled in US college admissions scandal.

Succession transition sets up Ricola for the future

The principal of Swiss herbal product manufacturer Ricola has relinquished daily duties to a non-family director while his son steps up onto the board of directors.

Felix Richterich, 60, remained as chairman with a focus on strategy from 1 May after seven years as both chairman and chief executive. The grandson of founder Emil Richterich managed the Laufen-based company for 27 years.

Trussardi is the latest Italian family-owned heritage brand to accept a buy-out following a €50 million deal with an asset management firm that targets struggling businesses.

Trussardi is the latest Italian family-owned heritage brand to accept a buy-out following a €50 million deal with an asset management firm that targets struggling businesses.

The 108-year-old fashion house said the injection from QuattroR would underwrite its five-year international development plan. The plan was agreed with Tomaso Trussardi, the third-generation chief executive who will act as chairman of the new entity.